2024.10.07 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for October 7, 2024 Page 5 of 8 Notice of Assessment Hearing had been published in the official newspaper and mailed to the owners of each parcel described in the assessment roll at least two weeks prior to the hearing. City Engineer Mark Erichson provided background on previous meetings held with the residents on the road project and Council actions. He explained that Heather and Upper Heather Avenue were complete reconstruction projects, and 125th was a reclamation project. He showed before and after photos of the project areas. The total projects cost was $2,877,000. City funds were used to pay for $2,618,500 of the cost, and $258,500 was assessed to benefiting property owners, which was less than ten percent of the total project costs. According to the City’s assessment policy, parcels receiving the complete reconstruction were assessed $5,200 per unit, and those receiving the reclamation project were assessed $3,500 per unit. Mark showed on a map the area being assessed and explained how corner lots were prorated, and larger lots were assessed based on the number of units that could be created according to zoning. He talked about the MN Statute that governs the process for assessments saying this evening would be the second of two required public hearings. Assessments would be spread over ten years at 5.10 percent interest rate. They could be prepaid by November 6, 2024. After that, assessments would be certified to the County for taxes payable in 2025. The property owner could pay the remaining balance in any subsequent year by November 15. He explained there was a senior citizen deferral if hardship criteria was met. He requested the Council hold the public hearing and approved the resolution adopting the assessments. Mayor Weidt opened the public hearing. There were no comments, and Weidt closed the public hearing. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2024 – 46 ADOPTING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE 2024 125TH STREET AND DELLWOOD RIDGE STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. Upon Roll Call- Ayes: Klein, Miron, Petryk, Strub, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried. Recap of Workshop on Solar Farms and Residential Zoning Text Amendments A joint workshop was held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, with the Planning Commission to discuss the solar farm ordinance and residential zoning standards. Community Development Director Rachel Juba provided Council with a recap of the meeting beginning with the history of the City’s ordinance and concerns residents had about solar farms changing the character of the area. There was discussion about increasing the required parcel size, setbacks, and locating them on wetlands and floodplains. There was agreement to send the ordinance back to the Ordinance Review Committee. An ordinance text amendment prohibiting solar farms had been tabled at the July 15, 2024, Council meeting. Staff recommended they take it off the table and withdraw the application, have the ordinance reviewed by the ORC, and hold a public hearing at the Planning Commission.